Tigers vs Bristol - 04th January 2020

[MCC1964]

That maybe so Chobbsy but when was the last time TPN was selected ahead of Young’s under Murphy?

I agree totally I am just saying he did well when he came on

Yeah, but his throwing can be just as abysmal.

[Soggypitch]

Manu out then

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/rugby ... lined.html

It was ever thus!

[Noggs]

TEAM UP!

Leicester Tigers (v Bristol Bears, Welford Road, Saturday 1.00pm)

15 Telusa Veainu

14 Jordan Olowofela

13 Jaco Taute

12 Kyle Eastmond

11 Jonny May

10 George Ford

9 Ben Youngs

1 Ellis Genge

2 Tom Youngs (c)

3 Dan Cole

4 Tomás Lavanini

5 Calum Green

6 Harry Wells

7 Jordan Taufua

8 Sione Kalamafoni

Replacements

16 Tatafu Polota-Nau

17 Greg Bateman

18 Nephi Leatigaga

19 Guy Thompson

20 Tommy Reffell

21 Sam Harrison

22 Noel Reid

23 George Worth

[OakhamTiger32]

Bristol side looks strong:

Bristol Bears: 15. Charles Piutau; 14. Toby Fricker, 13. Piers O’Conor, 12. Will Hurrell, 11. Alapati Leiua; 10. Callum Sheedy, 9. Harry Randall; 1. Jordan Lay, 2. Harry Thacker, 3. John Afoa, 4. Chris Vui, 5. Ed Holmes, 6. Steven Luatua (c), 7. Dan Thomas, 8. Nathan Hughes.

Replacements: 16. Will Capon, 17. Jake Woolmore, 18. Max Lahiff, 19. Dave Attwood, 20. Jake Heenan, 21. Nic Stirzaker, 22. Ian Madigan, 23. Luke Morahan.

[OakhamTiger32]

TEAM UP!

Leicester Tigers (v Bristol Bears, Welford Road, Saturday 1.00pm)

15 Telusa Veainu

14 Jordan Olowofela

13 Jaco Taute

12 Kyle Eastmond

11 Jonny May

10 George Ford

9 Ben Youngs

1 Ellis Genge

2 Tom Youngs (c)

3 Dan Cole

4 Tomás Lavanini

5 Calum Green

6 Harry Wells

7 Jordan Taufua

8 Sione Kalamafoni

Replacements

16 Tatafu Polota-Nau

17 Greg Bateman

18 Nephi Leatigaga

19 Guy Thompson

20 Tommy Reffell

21 Sam Harrison

22 Noel Reid

23 George Worth

Great to see Bateman and Thompson back in the match day squad and glad Kalamafoni is fit after his HIA. Starting 15 looks good although Wells at 6 worries me. Would like to have seen Thompson, Lewis or Reffell completing the back 3 with JT & SK. Strong bench too, should be a good game.

[Noggs]

Considering who is fit it looks like a good selection. Perhaps Reffell starting in lieu of Wells but it's a close call.

Looking forward to the game and in Bill's name....'Keep the Faith'

[Wayne Richardson Fan Club]

It is just as if we don't learn anything...

Big up Shazam though...ideal world a last minute try for him to convert.

[CitizenSmiff]

Wells has looked up for it off the bench recently so hopefully this game of musical chairs pays off, though I can't imagine Steven Luatua is overly concerned. Here's hoping our incremental improvement is enough to give Sam the sendoff he deserves.

[mol2]

I is strange that Wells is starting when at 6 when we have 2 back rows on the bench!

You could argue Kalamafoni should be at 6 with Taufua at 8 then either Refell or Thompson at 7.

Presumably they are concerned that Thompson isn't ready to start after his injury and they don't think Refell is a starter yet. Playing Wells at 6 didn't work last time they tried it and weakens the bench options with no bench lock. Sure if one gets injured they can move Wells into the second row but that's not the same as bringing on fresh legs.

[G.K]

No need to play Wells at 6 when Guy Thompson is available. What about Kalamafoni also? I'm assuming that no mention of him in the injury update means he could be available.

So that's exactly what Murphs does.

[JP14]

I is strange that Wells is starting when at 6 when we have 2 back rows on the bench!

You could argue Kalamafoni should be at 6 with Taufua at 8 then either Refell or Thompson at 7.

Presumably they are concerned that Thompson isn't ready to start after his injury and they don't think Refell is a starter yet. Playing Wells at 6 didn't work last time they tried it and weakens the bench options with no bench lock. Sure if one gets injured they can move Wells into the second row but that's not the same as bringing on fresh legs.

Not really, Thompson come on for a lock and Wells moves to the engine room, Lavanini has played near enough 80 minutes in most of the recent matches if memory serves me well and I don't recall Green being substituted versus Exeter so I have faith that both of them can last the full 80.

[JP14]

Tomorrow we should target Fricker in attack, I would argue three of Wasps tries last week as a result of his inability and incapacity to defend on the fringes or against bigger players.

[Big Dai]

Tomorrow we should target Fricker in attack, I would argue three of Wasps tries last week as a result of his inability and incapacity to defend on the fringes or against bigger players.

Likewise with our 10 / 12 channels? It's not the lack of Manu in attack that concerns me.

[Ian Cant]

Will be there as usual tomorrow but fear Bristol’s back row will “ murder us.”
Was at Twickers last week and our forwards, apart from the scrum, were way off the pace. Have to hope we can stay in it until Guy Thompson comes on to win some turnovers and Reffel to add some pace,
I just see this selection as one that is afraid to win rather than brave enough to win.
Please prove me wrong.

[Tiglon]

I'm feeling less confident than before the Quins game, but Bristol have had a wobble or two recently and we've seen a few signs of better things from Tigers, so fingers crossed.

Wells starting at 6 is bizarre, in my opinion. Catastrophe against Saints. If Thompson isn't ready to play 80 and Reffell isn't ready to start, put Thompson on from the beginning and throw Reffell in after 50. Problem solved, no?

Geordan said in the week that it would tough for Thompson to get back into the team with Reffell playing so well, so he's dropped both of them for an average lock. bonkers.